I think I would rather not have teens working during the school year. I agree that it is too likely to affect their ability to do well in school and to enjoy their time in high school. I think that it is great to have work experience, but I think that it is better to get that experience during the summers (unless you have a family business or something of that sort where the parents can determine when and how much the teen has to work).

Teenagers should be encouraged to work part-time, as long as it doesn't interfere with their educational success. Becoming a part of the work force only reinforces what is being taught in the classroom since kindergarten: workers who work hard reap rewards (as you will be getting the almighty paycheck instead of a report card or smiley sticker), workers are expected to be on-time (only instead of detentions you'll be fired), workers are expected to be polite and respectful (instead of a harsh talking to outside the classroom, you'll be harshly reprimanded in front of other workers, gasp, yes, it happens), workers are expected to communicate with appropriate language in writing and on the phone as well as give correct change (just like in English and Math classes), and the list goes on. The "real world" as it is called is just an extension of what has been happening in the four walls of the classroom. Everything that has been learned can finally begin to be applied. I applaud any teen out there putting it to use. That's what we've been hoping for.

I'm actually for teenagers working part-time. Most of my best students (AP students) work outside of school. Their jobs force them to manage their time better. In contrast, many of my students who are involved in extracurricular school activities, try to use those activities as an excuse for not having their work done.

One observation I have made is that students who are working 30 hours a week really struggle to keep up with their school work and getting enough rest. I taught more students in this situation this past school year because they were helping their parents keep up with bills.

I think if it is possible to have a summer-only job it is a great way to keep teens out of trouble and teach them responsibility. I am not, however, in favor of teens working during school. I think they have the rest of their lives to work - and having a job often prevents students from getting involved in sports or other extra curricular activities that (for me at least) provided some of the best lessons (and memories) of high school.

I think it really depends on the teenager. If the child is very busy with school activities then it may very hard for them to find the time to work and study at the same time. I can see where a weekend job or a summer job would be a good thing here.

On the other hand, some students work in order to save money for a car or college. Working teaches responsibility and it also teaches them how to manage money.

Totally for it. I think it is a great chance for kids to learn the things they will deal with outside of school and also a way for them to interact with adults and adult situations in the real world. So much of what we consider "education" is just abstractions of things, jobs give people a chance to really see what is out there.

Also many jobs that you can get as a teenager are boring and I tend to think that being bored is a very healthy thing that we've eliminated with the incredible proliferation of gadgets and toys.

I am very much in favor of teens working. It teaches them personal finance and responsibility. It gives them self respect and independence, not to mention, they will be working most of their adult lives, so it's good training too. It can certainly be overdone, don't get me wrong, and I have seen students worked full time, and even graveyard shifts, which is against the law in most states. It should not interfere with their ability to finish their education.

While I'm all for students having summer jobs, I have mixed feelings about high school students working during the school year.

On one hand, going to school and doing well in their studies is the primary job of all students. School is compulsory because it's important. The life skills presumably learned in school(time management, social integration, core knowledge in a broad spectrum of subjects) are those which society has deemed necessary for everyone to have. Doing anything else may become a distraction or even a substitute for these basic goals for all students.

On the other hand, I find that students who do more than just go to school (i.e., jobs, extracurriculars like sports or drama) are generally better students. When those outside activities are done in moderation and not instead of schoolwork, students are forced to manage their time, energy, and resources in order to accomplish everything they need to do.

I worked in high school, and I don't regret having done so. I was able to earn money to get some things I wouldn't have been able to have without a job, and I was a diligent, successful student. I have had students whose parents provided those things for their kids so they wouldn't have to get a job during the school year, and they have also been diligent, successful students.

As with most things, moderation is perhaps the key. Work a job, but don't forget it's your second job.

I am absolutely for students having jobs in high school. In high school, I had a job, played in the marching band, was the editor of school newspaper, was in the top 10% of my class, and still had a fun social life. Balancing that schedule prepared me for college. So many of my students have NO clue what life is like in the real world because they've never had a to work a day in their lives, but yet they wear super expensive clothes and have iPhones. Give me a break. Being successful in life comes down to being able to balance responsibilities. I think working 15 hours or so a week is a good way to teach them that. Let's face it, when they go home at 3:00, they probably have at least 8 hours before they go to bed. I think working 4 hours a few days a week is absolutely acceptable.

I am also a parent of a teenager and he will be getting his first job as soon as he can drive if not sooner. The kids I see at school who pay for some aspects of their lives have a much more grounded view of life and money than those whose parents pay for their gas, insurance, social life, etc.

If a student can maintain their studies, maintain being healthy, and maintain a job all at the same time, then I totally support it. If a child is smart and gets a scholarship or grant, will it be enough to pay for their entire tuition in college? Won't they also have to pay for their housing or gas when traveling to and from college? That's why it's best to get a hard start when it comes to these things. Only the child themselves know whether or not it is difficult to maintain or easy to maintain all 3 of those relationships.

This answer completely depends on the teenager him / herself. If they are capable of balancing their job and their schoolwork, then they can go right ahead. If they are not, then they probably shouldn't get a job. However, getting a job can benefit them with money and experience for their future.

I am totally in favor of students working. It gives them a taste of what the future holds in store for them. It imposes discipline, which many students sorely need. They have to be clean, courteous, dependable, and competent if they want to keep their jobs. I don't know whether this has been mentioned before, but in college there are a lot of jobs available right on the campus. I think the first place a college student should look for a job is right at the school he attends. Working as an assistant to a teacher can be a learning experience in itself. It enables a young person to meet lots of people, and this can be important if he or she is attending one of those huge universities that are like little cities full of strangers.